I like making this strawberry grapefruit paloma when I’m in the mood for something light, citrusy, and a little different. It’s got just the right mix of tart, sweet, and bubbly.
Strawberry Grapefruit Paloma to Kick Off Patio Season Right
This strawberry grapefruit paloma comes together in just a few steps, and it’s one of those drinks that looks a little more dressed up than it really is. I always start by rimming the glass – usually with sugar, but salt works if I’m in the mood for something more traditional. It only takes a second and makes the drink feel a little extra.
From there, it’s all about getting that fresh strawberry flavor into the mix. I muddle a few chopped berries with lime juice right in the shaker until they’re nice and juicy, then add tequila and ice. A quick shake is all it needs to chill everything down and pull the flavors together.
Once it’s strained over ice, I top it off with grapefruit soda…something bubbly and tart that balances the sweetness. A couple of strawberry slices and a sprig of thyme on top make this tequila-based cocktail feel finished without trying too hard. It’s light, a little fruity, and easy to sip.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Muddled strawberries give it a fresh flavor you don’t get from syrup.
- It’s easy to make but feels like something unique you’d order at a bar.
- The combo of sweet, tart, and bubbly hits just right on warm days.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make a strawberry grapefruit paloma, from the rim to the garnish:
- Granulated sugar – used to coat the rim of the glass for a sweet touch.
- Lime wedge – run around the rim and also used for fresh lime juice.
- Strawberries – muddled in the drink and used as a garnish.
- Fresh lime juice – adds brightness and balances the sweetness. Overal it’s just as refreshing as my limoncello lemonade cocktail.
- Silver tequila – gives the drink its boozy base.
- Ice – chills the drink and fills the glass.
- Grapefruit soda – tops it off with a fizzy, citrusy finish.
- Grapefruit wedge or strawberry– optional garnish for extra color and flavor.
- Thyme or rosemary sprig – adds a subtle herbal note to finish.
How to Make a Strawberry Grapefruit Paloma
Find the complete recipe with measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Step One (rim the glass)
Pour some sugar onto a small plate. Take a lime wedge and run it around the edge of a glass. Press the rim into the sugar so it sticks. If you want to use salt instead, go for it. - Step Two (muddle the strawberries)
Toss the strawberries and lime juice into a cocktail shaker. Grab a muddler and mash the berries up real good to get all the flavor out. - Step Three (add tequila and shake)
Pour in the tequila and fill the shaker about halfway with ice. Put the lid on and shake it up until everything’s nice and cold. - Step Four (pour and top)
Strain the drink into your prepared glass with fresh ice. Top it off with chilled grapefruit soda. - Step Five (garnish and serve)
Drop in a few strawberry slices and a sprig of thyme if you’re feeling fancy. Now it’s ready to sip.
Serving a Group: The Big Batch Version
Since this recipe is for a single cocktail, here’s additional instruction on how to make a big batch of strawberry grapefruit palomas for a group (about 8 servings):
- In a pitcher, muddle about 1 to 1½ cups of chopped strawberries with ½ cup fresh lime juice.
- Add 2 cups silver tequila and stir to combine.
- Chill the pitcher until ready to serve.
- When serving, fill each glass with ice and pour in the strawberry-tequila mix, about halfway up.
- Top each glass with chilled grapefruit soda and garnish with sliced strawberries and thyme or rosemary sprigs.
You can rim all the glasses ahead of time with sugar or salt if you want to prep everything before guests arrive.
Recipe Tips
A few tips for making the perfect strawberry grapefruit paloma:
- Use ripe, juicy strawberries for the best flavor. They muddle easier and taste sweeter.
- Chill your grapefruit soda ahead of time so the drink stays cold and fizzy.
- If you want a smoother drink, strain it through a fine mesh sieve to catch all the strawberry bits.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh? Fresh lime juice has a brighter, cleaner flavor, but bottled will work in a pinch. Make sure it’s 100% juice with no added sweeteners.
- What’s the difference between using Jarritos and Squirt? Jarritos grapefruit soda is more natural and less sweet, with a lighter, citrusy flavor. Squirt is a bit sweeter, with a stronger citrus punch, so it’ll make a bolder, more classic-style paloma.
- What’s the difference between using grapefruit soda and sparkling grapefruit water? Grapefruit soda (like Jarritos or Squirt) is sweetened and adds both citrus flavor and sugar to the drink. If you use unsweetened sparkling grapefruit water instead, you’ll need to add simple syrup or another sweetener to balance the tartness. I would start with about ½ ounce and adjust to taste.
- Can I make this without a cocktail shaker? Yes, just use a jar with a tight lid or even stir everything in the glass, just muddle well and stir to chill.
- What kind of glass should I use for this cocktail? I used old-fashioned glasses in the photos, but highball or Collins glasses are more traditional for palomas since they leave room for plenty of ice and soda. Honestly, use whatever glass you have or like. This drink works in just about anything.
More Tequila Cocktails for Your Next Pour
If you’ve got extra tequila to use or just want to try something new, here are a few other cocktails worth mixing up.
- Spicy Watermelon Jalapeno Margarita
- Agave Margarita
- Blueberry Margarita
- Hot Honey Peach Margarita
- Mezcal Margarita
- Icy Hibiscus Margarita
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Strawberry Grapefruit Paloma
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker Lets you mix and chill the drink quickly.
- Muddler Helps crush the strawberries to release their juice and flavor.
- Hawthorne Strainer Keeps the pulp and ice out when pouring into the glass.
- jigger Makes it easy to measure your ingredients.
Ingredients
Rim:
- 2 tbsps. granulated sugar
- 1 lime wedge
Drink:
- 2-3 strawberries, chopped
- 1/2 oz. (1 tbsp.) fresh lime juice
- 2 oz. silver tequila
- ice
- 4-6 oz. grapefruit soda such as Jarritos (preferred) or Squirt, chilled
Garnish:
- sliced strawberries or grapefruit wedge or wheel
- thyme or rosemary sprig
Instructions
- Pour sugar onto a small plate. Run a lime wedge along the rim of a highball glass, then gently press the rim into the sugar to coat. (You can swap in salt if you prefer a salt rim.)2 tbsps. granulated sugar, 1 lime wedge
- Add the strawberries and lime juice to a cocktail shaker. Use a muddler to mash the strawberries. Add the tequila and fill the shaker halfway with ice.2-3 strawberries, chopped, 1/2 oz. (1 tbsp.) fresh lime juice , 2 oz. silver tequila , ice
- Shake well until chilled, then strain into the prepared glass filled with more ice.
- Top with chilled grapefruit soda and garnish with strawberries and a sprig of thyme.4-6 oz. grapefruit soda, sliced strawberries or grapefruit wedge or wheel, thyme or rosemary sprig
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe? Share your experience in the comments below and let me know how it turned out.
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